Elbow Grease

Furniture Restoring Takes Time

To avoid big problems, novice furniture restorers should start small. Begin with a grand piano and you will soon run out of steam.

That`s because ``instant`` is not part of the restorer`s vocabulary, and many procedures call for lots of old-fashioned elbow grease.

Skimping on it can produce poor results.

Every amateur restorer wants to know trade secrets, but in reality learning to read, understand and follow product instructions may be the most important trick of the trade-although some manufacturers do a poor job of presenting directions.

The label on a small can of finish may contain very fine print, but you must make the effort to read the text even if it means using a magnifying glass.

Pay special attention to passages pertaining to finish used on both old and new wood and to steps for applying additional coats.

Sanding the wood`s surface may seem a simple procedure, but the worker must develop a feel for it. Beginners often sand with a force somewhere between a sumo wrestler and a little old lady.

Besides using the proper pressure, one must also choose the right abrasive and know how different types of wood react.

An awareness of feel and touch plays a particularly important part in French polishing, a procedure still used for some beautiful old pieces.

Executing the technique in the old-fashioned way involves a step known as ``spiriting off,`` which requires removing the lubricating oil and burnishing the wood`s surface using a pad charged with alcohol.

Too much liquid will melt the finish and too little will be of no use.

Experience teaches the correct wetness. One method requires placing the charge pad to your lips where it should feel cold but not wet-a tip not included in package instructions.

A genuine trade secret is knowing what to use when the hardware store is closed.

Camphorated oil works because it contains oil-as do mayonnaise, peanut butter, bacon fat, butter and lard, other cures specified for removing unsightly rings.

They also knew something in the old days about chapped hands. At the farmers` co-op they used Udder-Rub, which works like a charm. The cream, no longer available, contained among other things carbolic acid, oil of turpentine, oil of eucalyptus and lanolin. -